Ban On Afghan Women Remains As Universities Reopen With Male Students Flooding In

On Monday, Afghan institutions welcomed back male students, while school remains out of bounds for women under the Taliban.

After the Taliban swept back to power in August 2021, they implemented many restrictions on women, including a ban on women attending universities. This has provoked a widespread outcry, even among Muslims.

"It's heartbreaking to see boys going to the university while we have to stay at home," said Rahela, 22, from the central province of Ghor.

"This is gender discrimination against girls because Islam allows us to pursue higher education. Nobody should stop us from learning."

After reports that female students were breaking the Taliban's rigorous dress code and the requirement that they be accompanied by a male relative at all times while on campus, the government enacted the restriction.

Most schools already had separate entrances and classrooms for men and women, and women could only take classes taught by either women or older males.

Many Taliban officials have stated that the current prohibition on women's education is only temporary; yet, secondary schools for females have been closed for well over a year with no sign of reopening.

They have cited numerous reasons, including a shortage of funding and the need for additional time to restructure the curriculum per Islamic principles, for the decision to shut down the school.

A number of Taliban officials have said that the ultra-conservative clerics who advise the country's top leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, are highly sceptical of women receiving a contemporary education.

Since the Taliban came to power, women's participation in public life has been severely restricted.

Several government employment were eliminated for women or they were paid significantly less to stay at home.

They are required to cover themselves in public and are prohibited from going to certain public places like parks, fairs, gyms, and public baths.

The United Nations has referred to the regulations as "gender-based apartheid," drawing the ire of human rights organisations.

During talks with the Taliban government about funding and recognition, the international world has made women's access to education a negotiating priority.

There are currently no countries that recognise the Taliban authority.